Love Drives Out Fear

Love drives out fear. 1 John 4:18 (NIV) - "There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love." The MSG puts it this way - "There is no room in love for fear. Well-formed love banishes fear. Since fear is crippling, a fearful life—fear of death, fear of judgment—is one not yet fully formed in love." Love drives out, casts out, banishes fear. Fear and mature love do not co-exist anymore than light and darkness or good and evil. The fears and insecurities that are in us will leave as love is formed and developed in us. No longer dreading punishment or death, nor driven by guilt and shame - we come to rely on the perfect love the Father has for us. We are assured and rest in that love. Love drives out fear.